KUWAIT MEDICAL JOURNAL, vol.46, no.2, pp.143-145, 2014 (SCI-Expanded)
Bronchial atresia is a congenital anomaly characterized by focal obliteration of a part of the bronchus, which causes an accumulation of secretions and a bronchocele with absence of ventilation of the corresponding distal pulmonary area which is seen radiologically as hyperlucent. Approximately 50% of the patients are asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis, and this condition is more frequent in men than in women (ratio 2:1), and usually affects young people. Chest computed tomography is diagnostic, and makes it possible to differentiate between congenital anomalies, bronchiectasias and other types of bronchial obstruction. Treatment of asymptomatic patients is conservative, and surgery is only necessary if there should be symptoms such as recurrent respiratory infections, chronic cough or dyspnea. Herein we report a case of asymptomatic bronchial atresia with radiological features and differential diagnosis.